Diversity Day in Woodstock Sunday

The press release on Sunday’s Diversity Day is below:

DIVERSITY DAY 2007 PROGRAM A MIX OF MUSIC, DANCE AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

WOODSTOCK—Diversity Day 2007: “…Skies Everywhere as Blue as Mine” will be held in Woodstock Square on Sunday, October 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. It is the twelfth annual edition of the festival which highlights and supports cultural, ethnic, language, religious, ability, gender, and sexual orientation diversity in McHenry County.

Long time festival co-hosts Gloria Urch and Patrick Murfin will present an afternoon of varied entertainment. The festival will open with a special performance by the Congregational Unitarian Church Choir under the direction of Tom Steffens. Other musical performers include the O Brother Group, and Keith Johnson and Judy Martzen.

Dance performances will include salsa and contemporary Latin social dancing by students at McHenry County College, and Corazon Boliviano Grupo de Danza Folklorica Boliviana (Heart of Bolivia, the Bolivian Folklore Dance Group.) In addition Betty Appleton and friends will get the audience up on their feet by teaching some international folk dancers.

Religious diversity will be celebrated by participation of the Rev. Dan Larsen of the Congregational Unitarian Church, Rabbi Maralee Gordon of the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, an Islamic muezzin who will sing the call to prayer, and representatives of Congregation Tikkun Olam, the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple, and the Ten Directions Zen Group.

Community leaders will highlight projects that encourage diversity, serve human need, and create peace in the community. Speakers will include State Senator Pam Althoff, Joy Turner of Home of the Sparrow, Janie Galarza of Turning Point, Harold Rail of Principled Minds, Carlos Acosta of the Latino Coalition, Libby Pappalardo of the McHenry County Peace Group, Gary Christ of De-mining Cambodia, and others.

As usual, a highlight of Diversity Day is the presentation of the annual Peace and Justice award. For the first time there will be co-winners, Alice and Bill Hownstine. The Hownstines are long time leaders of the environmental movement in McHenry County and Quaker peace activists.

On the grounds of the festival dozens of community organizations, social service agencies, issue advocacy groups, political and religious organization will have information tables. Dr. Nelson Borelli will demonstrate his peace kites and the Peace Group’s Statue of Liberty float.

The SubZero Sandwich and Ice Cream and Lucia’s Custom Catering will provide food service on the square featuring burgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, and veggie wraps.

Diversity Day 2007 is presented by the Congregational Unitarian Church and enjoys the sponsorship of Home State Bank.

For information about the festival call Patrick Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail DivDay@sbcglobal.net.


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